How Can God's Love Be Unconditional?

[rojse]

Well, first of all degrees of sin are a reality in the bible, so any speculation you are making here is your own. But, even if you're right, what makes one person more or less deserving?

The pain and suffering they cause their victims? The amount of victims from the sin? The amount of communal angst from the knowledge these sins occured? Any of those are more than sufficient to differentiate between what sins occur.

 

[kmkemp]

No, all of those are measures of why someone is NOT deserving. There's nothing we can do that would make us deserving of heaven.

 

[Kcnorwood]

So, what you're saying is that our capacity for sin is greater than God's ability to forgive?

God's love is conditional upon our acceptance of it?

God doesn't get God's way, ultimately, because our will is more important than God's?

You're placing an awfully high value on human free will. We're free to reject God. Why isn't God free to reject our rejection?

Yes it is if you do not accept what he's offering then he's going to send you to hell for not choosing him. Like I've said before no human parent would send thier child away for choosing thier own path.

 

[Willamena]

How can the Abrahamic god's love for people be unconditional if he is willing to condemn people to hell for not believing in him?

I'm going to ignore the latter part of the question, which is nothing more than literalized myth, and offer up a response: all the universe is One Bright Pearl. There is nothing that is not the pearl, including love and conditions, and including the question you hold about love and conditions.

 

[sojourner]

Yes it is if you do not accept what he's offering then he's going to send you to hell for not choosing him. Like I've said before no human parent would send thier child away for choosing thier own path.

Especially if all paths ultimately lead to God...

 

[Kcnorwood]

Especially if all paths ultimately lead to God...

IF is a big word but I doubt that they do just based on docterine. The Christian God has too many conditions & rules that say he's the only way.

 

[sojourner]

IF is a big word but I doubt that they do just based on docterine. The Christian God has too many conditions & rules that say he's the only way.

Please rephrase that. Christ's followers have too many conditions & rules that say he's the only way. Has nothing to do with what God says.

 

[Kcnorwood]

Please rephrase that. Christ's followers have too many conditions & rules that say he's the only way. Has nothing to do with what God says.

My point excatly for everything you deem right about your belifes others see it as wrong. I'm sure there are people who see your views about Christ wrong as well.

 

[Ronald]

Yes, Heads, I win. Tails, you lose. But you still have a choice! Yeshua chose wisely. Adam did not.

It seems God wants the obedient children to share eternity with him. To live like the devil and expect to be rewarded for that behavior, is like, expecting Santa Claus. LOL

 

[darkendless]

Yes, Heads, I win. Tails, you lose. But you still have a choice! Yeshua chose wisely. Adam did not.

It seems God wants the obedient children to share eternity with him.

Thats a big problem with Christianity, the control factor drives many people away because they feel being restricted by something they also have to have faith in to believe is just too much restriction.

 

[Ronald]

Thats a big problem with Christianity, the control factor drives many people away because they feel being restricted by something they also have to have faith in to believe is just too much restriction.

No! Not a problem for the believer. The problem is for he who does not wish to be restricted. It is a "No Never Mind" for God and his people. God has what he wants and his people have what they want, that's a "win-win" situation any way you cut it. And you had what you thought was best at the time. It was your choice. Sad, but that's the way it goes.
In this life I feel for you.

 

[darkendless]

No! Not a problem for the believer. The problem is for he who does not wish to be restricted. It is a "No Never Mind" for God and his people. God has what he wants and his people have what they want, that's a "win-win" situation any way you cut it. And you had what you thought was best at the time. It was your choice. Sad, but that's the way it goes.
In this life I feel for you.

Who says what you believe is right other than the faithful? I'd rather take my chances and live a fulfilling life than a restricted one. It's something we're never going to agree upon.

 

[cardero]

Yes, Heads, I win. Tails, you lose. But you still have a choice! Yeshua chose wisely. Adam did not.

It seems God wants the obedient children to share eternity with him. To live like the devil and expect to be rewarded for that behavior, is like, expecting Santa Claus. LOL

Obedience=condition

 

[rojse]

No, all of those are measures of why someone is NOT deserving. There's nothing we can do that would make us deserving of heaven.

They are all measures to differentiate between sins, and try and demonstrate why some people might not deserve as much time in hell as others.

 

[Ronald]

Obedience=condition

I hear you wanting the reward for a believer.
Obedience = reward
Disobedience = destruction
Free will = choice
Choose one
He who creates the world gets to set the rules.
Since you choose not to play, but continue to free-load on his kindness and expect to recieve the reward for playing a game you refuse to compete in. Go figure.

You seem to think that God should make you sinless, but yet you don't want to be sinless. Have it your way

If you succeed in convincing God he is guilty of conditional love, I'll see you in the Olam habah. LOL

 

[Sunstone]

It seems to me god's love cannot be unconditional if he is willing to condemn people to hell.

 

[Kcnorwood]

It seems to me god's love cannot be unconditional if he is willing to condemn people to hell.

Excatly! :clap

 

[Wandered Off]

No idea about love, but indifference often seems unconditional.

 

[stacey bo bacey]

I hear you wanting the reward for a believer.
Obedience = reward
Disobedience = destruction
Free will = choice
Choose one
He who creates the world gets to set the rules.
Since you choose not to play, but continue to free-load on his kindness and expect to recieve the reward for playing a game you refuse to compete in. Go figure.

Uhhh, all of that sounds really scary. My life isn't a game and I don't expect anything in return for the love, kindness, generosity, & peace I make. I choose to practice and spread those virtues based on my belief that they are what's best for humanity. No supreme game or twisted rules.

But since I'm an atheist I guess all of that is worth nothing since I don't believe in, and therefore love, God. And of course I deserve nothing short of eternal damnation. Go figure.

 

[Sunstone]

If you succeed in convincing God he is guilty of conditional love....

Methinks it would be easier to convince God than you.